TV ratings for 1st round draft pick Shohei Otani's debut game as a starting pitcher on the 23rd (vs Yakult at Sapporo Dome) averaged 28.7% (peaked at 33.8%). That eclipsed the 25.3% for the season opener against Seibu at Seibu Dome on March 29 and established a new high for the current season.

Hisanobu Watanabe spent about thirty minutes throwing roughly 130 pitches to ten hitters during bunt practices on Friday (each hitter was required to lay down three successful bunts). He suffered a right leg cramp and popped a blister on his right middle finger during his outing.

Atlanta Braves scout Philip Dale is scheduled to watch a Rakuten-Hanshin game at Koshien on the 29th. Based on the current rotation, there is a good chance Masahiro Tanaka will get the start on the 29th.